Daniel Sams goes to Royal Challengers Bangalore from Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021's first trade, Chris Morris released

The first trade of IPL 2020 has been officially announced with Delhi Capitals bowling all-rounder Daniel Sams been traded to Royal Challengers Bangalore. According to an ESPNCricinfo report, Daniel Sams has been traded for an all-cash deal. With the player retention a short while away, it has also been reported that Chennai Super Kings might release Kedar Jadhav, Murali Vijay and Piyush Chawla. Earlier, Harbhajan Singh's contract was not renewed while Suresh Raina has apparently been retained. Daniel Sams was the highest wicket-taker in the ninth edition of the Big Bash League with 30 wickets for the Sydney Thunder and won the Golden Arm Award. In IPL 2020, he played three games for Delhi Capitals and did not take a single wicket and did not score a single run. His economy rate in IPL 2020 was 9.5, way too expensive when compared to Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. Even Chris Morris has been released by Royal Challengers Bangalore while Harshal Patel has been traded to Virat Kohli's side.

In Big Bash League 2020/21, Daniel Sams has played nine games and his batting average is 49.75 at a strike rate of 191. With the ball, he has taken 10 wickets at an average of 22 with an economy rate of 8.6. Royal Challengers Bangalore will be hoping that he can shore up the death overs and also be a useful option while batting in the lower middle-order. Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore once again flattered to deceive in IPL 2020 as they were knocked out by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator. Royal Challengers Bangalore have not won a single Indian Premier League tournament and they will be desperate to ensure they have the trophy in IPL 2021 as the tournament heads into the mega-auction in IPL 2022.

Player retention policy for franchises

January 20 will be the day when the franchises submit their final list of the players to be retained for IPL 2021. It is expected that sides like Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab might make the most releases while Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians might retain the core of their players. Rajasthan Royals are expected to release Australia Test star Steve Smith and there is speculation of his availability for IPL 2021. The franchises will be keeping a close eye on the Syed Mushtaq Ali as well as the stars in that tournament might be one of the prominent picks for the IPL 2021 auction that will be held in February.

The BCCI has not yet officially announced as to where IPL 2021 will be played although there are many stakeholders who want the tournament to be held in India. The coronavirus pandemic forced IPL 2020 to be played in the UAE but with the vaccine roll-out, it is expected that the IPL 2021 will be held in India without any problems.